Paternity is legal fatherhood—and establishing it is one of the most important steps in the child support process. A man is generally presumed to be the father of children born to his wife during their marriage. The presumption of the husband’s paternity can be rebutted through court-ordered genetic testing. The circumstances under which paternity is presumed vary from state to state, and are usually included in a state’s statutes—often in the statutes grouped together and known as the family code.
In Indiana, paternity is the legal recognition of a man as the father of a child, and it is crucial for matters such as child support, custody, and visitation rights. Under Indiana law, a man is presumed to be the father of a child if the child is born during his marriage to the mother. This presumption can be challenged in court, where genetic testing may be ordered to determine biological fatherhood. If a child is born out of wedlock, paternity can be established through a paternity affidavit signed by both parents or by a court order. Indiana's paternity laws are codified in the Indiana Code, specifically within Title 31 that pertains to family law. It is important for individuals involved in paternity disputes or seeking to establish paternity to consult with an attorney to understand their rights and obligations under Indiana law.